How Do You Spell BACK FORTY?

Pronunciation: [bˈak fˈɔːti] (IPA)

"Back forty" is a term used to describe a remote or rural piece of land. The spelling of this phrase may seem straightforward, but it is important to note the pronunciation. The first word is pronounced with the vowel sound /æ/ as in "cat", while the second word is pronounced with the vowel sound /ɔ/ as in "sauce". The phonetic transcription is /bæk ˈfɔrti/. This term can be commonly found in North American agricultural and rural areas when referring to large properties or farms.

BACK FORTY Meaning and Definition

1. The term "back forty" is primarily used in North America and refers to a piece of land located at the rear or far end of a farm or property. The term originated from the notion that most farms were divided into equal-sized portions, with the "front forty" representing the land closest to the farmhouse or main facilities. In contrast, the "back forty" denotes the land situated farther away from the main area or buildings.

   The back forty often symbolizes the more remote and less accessible part of a property, typically used for agricultural purposes such as growing crops, pasturing livestock, or wood harvesting. Its size is not necessarily literal, but rather a phrase denoting a specific area on a property that may or may not measure forty acres. The term is more figurative in modern usage, depicting any large or remote area located at the rear of a piece of land.

   Moreover, the back forty can also be used metaphorically to mean any secluded or neglected part of a property or one's life. It may connote a hidden or forgotten place where exploration, solitude, or work takes place. The phrase has become ingrained in American culture and usage, evoking a sense of rural landscapes, wide expanses, and agricultural heritage.

Common Misspellings for BACK FORTY

• vack forty
• nack forty
• hack forty
• gack forty
• bzck forty
• bsck forty
• bwck forty
• bqck forty
• baxk forty
• bavk forty
• bafk forty
• badk forty
• bacj forty
• bacm forty
• bacl forty
• baco forty
• baci forty
• back dorty
• back corty
• back vorty

Etymology of BACK FORTY

The term "back forty" originates from American English and is particularly common in rural and agricultural regions. It refers to a remote or less frequently used part of a farm or ranch, usually located towards the back end of the property, away from the main buildings or cultivated fields.

The term is believed to have its roots in 19th-century farming practices in America. The word "back" represents the location of a specific area, while "forty" refers to a unit of measurement used to describe land area. In this context, a "forty" originally meant a 40-acre plot of land.

The phrase might have been influenced by the Homestead Acts, which provided an opportunity for settlers to claim a quarter-section of land (160 acres or four "forties"), oftentimes referred to as a "quarter" or "forty".

Idioms with the word BACK FORTY

• back forty The term "back forty" refers to a remote or distant area, often a large and unpopulated piece of land located far away from the main living or working area. It is commonly used to describe a secluded or rural area, especially in farming or countryside contexts.

Plural form of BACK FORTY is BACK FORTIES